MANILA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is investigating the identity of a supposed hitman allegedly contracted by Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with an assassination plot against President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag disclosed the probe on Wednesday during a hearing of the House justice committee tackling the impeachment complaint against Duterte, saying authorities already have initial leads.
"We have some personalities under surveillance. But we cannot name those individuals we are monitoring. However, we are already zeroing in on several individuals who may be the ones he contacted in connection with the threat he made," Matibag told lawmakers.
According to the NBI, the alleged threat carries constitutional implications because the vice president made it, an official next in line to assume the presidency, and therefore in a position to benefit if the president is killed. ■
